World Bulletin / News Desk

The Turkish army said it has so far destroyed 26 mines and 671 improvised explosive devices (IEDs) planted by ISIL terrorists in northern Syria as part of Operation Euphrates Shield.  

According to a statement issued by General Staff on Thursday, the army started to shell positions of terror organizations as of 5.50 p.m. local time (1450GMT) and the coalition led by U.S. did not carry out airstrikes on Thursday. 

It said a total of 527 targets had been hit since the operation -- which aims to drive ISIL out of the region to the south of Turkey’s border -- was launched on Aug. 24.